Canadians to pay entry fee entering the United States

By Christopher WalshOctober 24, 2011

Canada-U.S. Relations -

If you're heading south of the border anytime soon, Canadians are about to face a surcharge of $5.50 if travelling there by air or boat. In a move implemented by the Obama administration, the cash-strapped U.S. government is trying to find new ways to help relieve the $1 trillion deficit.

While the relations between Canada and the U.S. have been strained recently because of Obama's "Buy American" rules, this seems to be another move which could see relations between the two neighbours slide.

The new surcharge comes from a provision in the free-trade agreement between Colombia and the U.S. It effectively nullified an exception of levying fees on those travelling from Canada, Mexico and Caribbean nations.

Canadians have been exempt from the fee for some time, should expect to see an increase in travel prices, hidden in the cost of a ticket for air or boat travel.

According to the American embassy in Ottawa, the tax isn't specifically targetted towards Canadians and claims it is a tax for everybody to pay when entering the United States.

The Harper government vows to fight the extra tax Canadians will face and in February, attacked the new policy as a bad proposal designed to bail out the debt of the U.S. on the backs of Canadians.

“Raising taxes at the border just raises costs on consumers,” International Trade Minister Ed Fast said in a statement. “Canadian officials have raised concerns about the removal of this exemption at the highest level. We will continue to raise Canada’s concerns with U.S. lawmakers.”

As many as 7 million Canadians travel to the United States per year by air an an additional 150,000 by boat. Though in all fairness, everyone, including U.S. citizens, must also pay the new entry fee when travelling from anywhere in the world.

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Comments (255)

Retired_Can_SoldierOct 24th, 2011

+2

Quote: Originally Posted by VanIsle --

The United States is now adding a new fee to Canadians entering their country via plane or water. If you drive, no extra charge. Each person, will pay an extra $5.50 now. People interviewed made comments like, a tax on tax, Canada is having to pay for the US deficit and more.

The Obama Administration is made up of complete idiots.

Bar SinisterOct 24th, 2011

+4

Quote: Originally Posted by VanIsle --

The United States is now adding a new fee to Canadians entering their country via plane or water. If you drive, no extra charge. Each person, will pay an extra $5.50 now. People interviewed made comments like, a tax on tax, Canada is having to pay for the US deficit and more.

There is a very simple solution. Simply email any US Senator or Representative and tell him why you are not traveling to the US this year. This would be particularly effective in vacation states like Nevada, California, Florida, and Hawaii. There are many other parts of the world that have winter sunshine and even casinos.

PraxiusOct 24th, 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Bar Sinister --

There is a very simple solution. Simply email any US Senator or Representative and tell him why you are not traveling to the US this year. This would be particularly effective in vacation states like Nevada, California, Florida, and Hawaii. There are many other parts of the world that have winter sunshine and even casinos.

The problem with that is people are basically too lazy to even do that and will just shrug their shoulders & pay.

WLDBOct 24th, 2011

Im indifferent. I usually get over the border using the train. I don't fly anywhere.

PraxiusOct 25th, 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by WLDB --

Im indifferent. I usually get over the border using the train. I don't fly anywhere.

I only entered the US once and that was because I was flying to Australia and my flight went through the US.... if I had the money and could afford it, I would have went through Vancouver and avoided the US altogether. I could have lived the rest of my life just fine without having to step foot in the US.

It wasn't all bad though, I saw Gene Simmons at the airport.

Retired_Can_SoldierOct 25th, 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by WLDB --

Im indifferent. I usually get over the border using the train. I don't fly anywhere.

Well what's god for the goose is good fopr the gander and the train as well as cvars will eventually meet this tax.

WLDBOct 25th, 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by Retired_Can_Soldier --

Well what's god for the goose is good fopr the gander and the train as well as cvars will eventually meet this tax.

I'd be indifferent then too. I rarely go to the US. $5.00 is not much of an inconvenience. I doubt they'd do that to road vehicles. It'd be bad for business/trade.

Retired_Can_SoldierOct 25th, 2011

+3

Quote: Originally Posted by WLDB --

I'd be indifferent then too. I rarely go to the US. $5.00 is not much of an inconvenience. I doubt they'd do that to road vehicles. It'd be bad for business/trade.

Don't doubt it. They already charge Transports that cross the border.

As a Canadian citizen I spend a good deal of time in the United States spending my money and shopping cross border. This latest short sighted act of protectionism has given me pause to reconsider how I will make my purchases in the future.

If the Obama Administration deems it necessary to put a levy on non US citizens for their patronage and vacations I will no longer be spending my money there.

I would also urge any other non US citizen to boycott American vacation spots as well as cross border shopping if the Federal Government feels the need to exploit the good will of their neighbors. My purchases along with other non US citizens help to keep America moving in very difficult times, but further spending will be put on hold until this Administration comes to its senses.

dumpthemonarchyOct 25th, 2011

+2

Another sign the former superpower has lost it. Chasing nickels and dimes from a close ally. Cheaper than going into Iraq though. Still, poor judgement from the isolationists. The isolationists must get an idea and other parochial Americans must just nod their head like sheep.

EagleSmackOct 25th, 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by dumpthemonarchy --

Another sign the former superpower has lost it. Chasing nickels and dimes from a close ally. Cheaper than going into Iraq though. Still, poor judgement from the isolationists. The isolationists must get an idea and other parochial Americans must just nod their head like sheep.

How is this an isolationist idea? Is Obama an isolationist?

At any rate... charge $5.50 the other way. Oh wait... the US Govt. will still get their $5.50 so they wouldn't care how much the US Taxpayer has to pay.